Cads-isms

Surprising beer find - New Belgium's Trippel

2009-04-12T14:03:00.000-07:00

When it comes to beer, I swear by Beck's Pilsner and Stella Artois (at the moment). When it came time to replenish my stock last week, I got that "it's-time-for-a-change" feeling. A little bit of change to coincide with the change of season... not unlike an untimely rash to match unwashed bargain bin clothes.

I found myself gravitating to offerings from New Belgium at my local liquor store. Maybe it's the fancy bottle artwork which makes you think their art department has a huge surplus of red orange crayons. But I digress...

Choices choices. Fat Tire? Been there done that. No matter what anyone says it still tastes like soil. Good soil with nuts and malt. Soil that you would want to drink. Tickles my brain at the prospect of twisting the saying "Eat my dust" to "Drink my dirt". But I digress again...

In the end, I took a 6 bottle pack of New Belgium's Trippel. I have tried a triple ale so why not. To the uniniated, a trippel is named for a strongest ale in their lineup. This beer kicks in at 7.8% ABV (alcohol by volume). That is almost 50% more that your typical beer. A good bang for your buck alcohol-wise. (or -vise, whatever).

The taste is surprisingly good. Then again I'm a trippel first-time. For all I know, this might be mediocre for Belgium-style trippels. Surprised at the amount of carbonation. This beer fizzes more than it foams. This gives it a fresh and crispy note. Drank it straight from the bottle so no comment on the color. I got vanilla-like hit for its body. The finish is long with a hoppy sort of aftertaste which I like. Interestingly enough, the flavor changes the warmer it gets. Light and crisp initial punch gave way to a more caramel-like smoothness as it warmed. There is another flavor there that I want to describe but have no comparable food experience yet to describe it. The beer is probably too complex to describe in the 3-bottle I've had so far. I think this beer would go well with strong cheese. Something with a pungent flavor to cut through the beer's complexity.

Overall a pretty good beer for insightful conversations. Don't chug it. Savor it.

Back again

2009-01-01T06:29:00.000-08:00

It's been months since I last posted. I never even followed-up my "best of the 90's albums" post. I can list a couple of reasons for the neglect:

I tore the ACL on my left knee and had surgery to reconstruct it. I spent 2 months on crutches and 6 months under physical therapy. This ended any marathon plans for 2008. This is not really a good reason for not being able to blog. Most people will use this idle time to blog but then again, I am not like most people.
We were planning for a wedding. This happened last dec. 23. Wedding planning is like training for marathan with the end result result mostly in the hands of other people.
Nothing worthwhile to blog about. I'm not a microblogger or have feelings of "angst" to push me to blog.

Neglecting my blogging does give me enough material at hand to successively post entries (not that I'm really going to do it).

I'm obviously rationalizing my neglect in an effort to exorcise my i-didn't-do-it-so-i-feel-weird feelings. Blogging is not a strong compulsion (yet) but it has enough gravity to be associated with "neglect".

We'll see if this post gets a follow-up. Maybe being newly married will change my blogging habits.

Best albums of the 1990's (part 1)

2008-04-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

I realized that I've amassed quite a collection of music in my 23 year audiophile life (I got my first Walkman in 1st grade).

With that thought I decided to do a "Best Of" entry to compartmentalize my musings on what I consider "good music." This is all a matter of personal taste. Those who know me well are aware that "personal taste" equals "absolute truth" in my world so try not to flame me. In any case, I hope that you will find an album here that you missed out on and give it a play on the old cassette player. I believe we call them mp3 players nowadays.

Here we go. My top 10 best albums of the 1990's in no particular order. I'll break them up to entries of two each.
Note that I won't include any "Best Of" albums here.

Ace of Base - Happy Nation (US Version)

I discovered this album a couple of weeks before it charted internationally. It has 3 versions. I found the re-released European version with the all-too-ubiquitous single "The Sign" in it.
What drew me to it? The sound
was fresh. Reggae fused with Swedish pop sensibility and sprinkled with techno. This was ABBA on Ecstasy!

Incidentally, it wasn't the
hit singles that I gravitated toward but more to the "techno tracks" such as "Waiting for Magic" and "Dancer in a Daydream".

Ace of Base is once again active but less one member, namely Malin Berggren. She was the main face and voice of the band
in the 90s. Personally, with her voice out of the mix, this Ace of Base comeback will lead nowhere.

Give this album a listen. Not just the tracks that every 30-ish person knows but also the ones in between.
Fillers you might call them but they certainly played the role well. This album wasn't once the best-selling debut
album of all time for nothing.

Listen to: Living in Danger, Waiting for Magic, Dancer in a Daydream and yes, do indulge in your secret love for "The Sign". I won't tell a soul.

Best listened to: When driving

Watch: Living in Danger live at the 1994 MTV Europe Music Awards.

U2 - Achtung Baby

"Awesome album cover...what artist?" I asked the saleslady at my local department store(Manuela 2). She grabbed the album and read the spine, "Uz... eh..." she said, "no... it's U2". (translated from Filipino).

U2 with a new album? This was news to me. Remember this was the early 90's. It was before public Internet so information was scarce. Heck, it was U2 so I plopped 100 pesos($4 then) for it and took my find home. Put the tape in my bulky Mega-Bass Sony player and listened.

"WTF???"

They turned rock techno!

Sure the delayed shimmery chiming guitars where still there but what happened to the overall sound? Bono sounds possessed and is falsetto-happy. The rhythm section is more upfront in the mix. It was radical departure from their old selves. It's way different from the old-school, self-righteous, political U2, but I liked it. No... I really really liked it! My Walkman played this album so many times that i think the magnetic head has memorized it.

Listen to: The Fly, One, Mysterious Ways

Best listened to: In the shower before school or work

Watch: The Fly live from Sydney - Zoo TV Tour

R.I.P Brother Felix Masson FSC

2008-02-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Linking to Brother Ceci's post on brother Felix's passing.

He will be missed.

Picket

2008-02-10T14:55:00.001-08:00

Apparently a call to picket at the xenu.net site saw a couple of folks protesting in sub-zero temps in downtown Minneapolis. I think they call it Project Chanology.

I have no axe to grind against Scientology. I just find the internet movement against the group very interesting.

Back to Baroque

2008-01-23T20:04:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post a performance of my favorite J. S. Bach work, the Goldberg Variations, as performed by Glenn Gould.

Along with Miles Davis' Kind of Blue album, it will always be a staple in my music player.

At the marathon's end... the start of a new journey.

2007-11-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

Van Halen Live in Minneapolis 2007

2007-10-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

I finally got to see my guitar hero Eddie Van Halen live!

Suffice to say, this is the loudest concert I have ever attended. Bring earplugs if you decide to watch their 2007 tour.

Compared to the Hagar-era Van Halen I watched on DVDs, the energy of a Roth show is frenetic and balls to the wall rock. No Hagar songs to be heard. It's all DLR Van Halen from the late 70's to 1984.

Eddie's guitar was spot on the whole night with a lot of old-school shredding. It was some the fastest shredding I have seem him do. I can't tell for sure but I think he was still using his Peavey guitars with the "Peavey" label taken off.

My only complaint is that the vocal mix wasn't perfect. I can barely hear DLR above the roar of the instruments. It's not a dealbreaker as I never really listened to the lyrics. I had my jaw to the floor almost the whole show and barely had enought time to headbang to the music. The sound coming out of Eddie's guitar is... IMMENSE... pure BROWN SOUND!

Awesome concert. I'd watch it again.

It's Philly this year

2007-08-19T14:08:00.001-07:00

Great 2007 Wimbledon Finals

2007-07-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

Finished a 5 mile morning run outside... saw the start of the Wimbledon Finals. Federer vs. Nadal.

Finished a 30 minute gym session... saw the start of the 2nd set. Wow, a first set tie-break!?! Hmmm this is going to be interesting.

Finished breakfast. Nadals wins the 2nd set. I've never seen Federer pushed this hard in the finals before. I've watched every Wimbledon finals since 1990. Federer won his first in 2003. I was onshore in Minneapolis then.

Tie-breaker again in the 3rd set! Nadal is no pushover chasing after shots that looked like winners. I am not surprised, given that the French Open is the most exhausting tournament. I am surprised that Nadal is showing excellent feel on his volleys.

Finished a quick shower and grocery. Nadals wins the 4th set 6-2! This has got to be Roger's most difficult Wimby.

Ate lunch and watched the final set at home. Roger saves himself more than once from break point down 15-40 by putting his fast serve to good use. Roger finds his 5th gear and focus. Nadal loses his nerve and the match. I'm still amazed by Federer's shot-making ability and acuracy. Federer wins with an overhead smash. Borg shows his approval.

Easily one of the best finals I've seen in recent years (but not the best match). Topping this are:
A. The epic 1996 US Open quarter-finals between Sampras and Corretja that lasted more than 4 hours.
B. Goran Ivanisevic's emotional Wimby finals win against Pat Rafter in 2001.

U.S. Open on August 27!

KG to LA?

2007-06-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

Will these two guys be in the same golden uniform next season? Bittersweet for me if it happens.

Steve?... not Jobs nor Wozniak... but... BALLMER!!!

2007-06-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Steve Ballmer still cracks me up everytime I watch this commercial from way back. Probably because he reminds me of myself when caffeinated.

If you're interested in the recent history of computing, I recommend watching Triumph of the Nerds.

Marathon for 2007... choices, choices, choices...

2007-06-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

A little bit of disappointing news via email today:

Thank you again for applying for the ING New York City Marathon 2007. I am sorry to inform you that, unfortunately, you were not selected in the random lottery drawing. I wish we could accept everyone, but we have to limit the size of the field to ensure a top-quality experience - and I hope you get to experience it yourself one day!

Anybody have suggestion for fall/winter marathon?

Tops on my list right now are:
Niagra Fall marathon - It starts in one country and ends in another. Interesting indeed.
Honolulu Marathon - It's in Hawaii!

2 spaces

2007-06-06T19:33:00.001-07:00

I still put 2 spaces after the period in my sentences. Remnants of the typewriting age. Remember typewriters kids?

Techie bits

2007-06-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

I've been getting a lot of my information feeds via podcasts and Google reader(RSS). CNET.com has a lot of great tech-oriented podcasts. I'm currently hooked on Buzz Out Loud. Check it out techie friends at bol.cnet.com. No, I'm not getting any money posting this.

Google Reader is a definite time-saving "lifehack" for me right now. Instead of going through all the websites I frequent and see what is new, I just fire up the reader all the updates. It's only recently that I realized that even RSS readers can eat up a lot of your time. This lifehack needs a lifehack.

Anybody seen the new iPhone commercials? Seems like stuff I can do with my Nokia N73 sans touch screen. I read it won't have 3G or EDGE (feel free to correct if I'm wrong). That's a definite deal-breaker for me. Anyone out there on the new At&T (formerly Cingular) please do let me know if it's worth the price once it comes out.

Random video post

2007-05-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

I just have to post this great table tennis clip I found. Quite a long rally.

It's about time!!!!!

2007-05-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

I got an offline message this morning that says it all.

russ9754: dreeee!!!! starcraft 2!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3mVMyonKU0

Finally after almost 10 years of waiting, a sequel to one of the best games ever is announced in South Korea. Don't screw this up Blizzard!!!

The Blizzard site for the game looks great.

En Taro Adun Executor! <-- Yes, I recite the dialogues every now and then.

PS3 a failure?

2007-05-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

I'm a gamer(console and PC) hence I've decided to restart this blog with a commentary on the gaming scene.

Is the Sony PS3 a failure? Third time might not be the charm for Sony. Playstation fanboys, post your rants.

1997 - I witnessed the Playstation relagate the gaming giant, Nintendo, to 2nd place. Cartridge vs. CD - no contest there.

2001 - PS2 does it again. Nintendo falls to 3rd. Dang this machine has all the awesome games. God of War, Ico, Metal Gear, the list goes on and on.

2006 - early 2007 - Launch had more ebayers than gamers. Sales dropped off real fast. Is this the start of the fall. I say yes (for now).

Signs?
1. Sony has just announced a 60%+ drop in profits. Most of it attributed to the PS3.
2. Mr. Playstation, Ken Kutaragi, quit.
3. Metal Gear Solid 4, supposedly "the PS3 game" this year, is delayed.
4. PS3 sales are below expectations.
5. Where are the awesome games? Elder scrolls was awesome it wasn't exclusive and RPGs make up a small portion of the gaming market.

I'm excited to see what happens in the next 6 months for Sony. I don't think a price cut will happen too soon. Friends with PS3, will you only have an overpriced blue ray player?

Spring! Sprong! Sprung!

2006-04-01T17:48:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't noticed, I like numbered lists and bullet points. Must be a remnant of my Accenture days when conciseness is next to godliness.

Shouldn't there be a PC term for bullet points? The Washington "Bullets" did change their name to Washington "Wizards." How about "wizard points?"

1. Started my new job! It's new but everything feels familiar.
2. Spring has come to Minnesoootah! Time to get in gear!. Shooting for a 21 minute 5K.
3. Bought new kicks for pick-up bball at the YMCA. Haven't bought kicks in four years. I figured I'm not much of a ball player so I don't need them as much as running shoes. I currently go through 3 pairs of running shoes a year.
4. I recently discoved googleidol . Pomme and Kelly are tops on my list. The Back Dormitory boys are ok at first but gets tired quickly. Thinking of submitting an entry.
5. I now shop for clothes with a grin on my face. No sales tax on clothes in MN!
6. Bought the paperback version of "Ultramarathon Man." He now has plans of doing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Possible? Too extreme. He'll come close though.
7. Metroid Prime: Hunters has been released! Got my copy and spent three hours playing it before my stylus-bearing hand cramped (uff da!) It's awesome to see a first-person shooter done this well on a portable gaming device.
8. My music itch has yet to be scratched. Planning on getting a Korg keyboard once I move in to my apartment. My goal is to at least play a Chopin piece flawlessly. It doesn't get any harder than Chopin.
9. I'm not yet over my Top Gear addiction. Currently downloading episodes from the 1990's. It was a very different show back then.
10. I'm very optimistic that Maui will get her Canadian visa this year. Nothing will make me happier than to see her again!

Later!

There and Back Again

2006-02-25T18:15:00.001-08:00

This entry's title is not in the same mold as Middle-earth's trek diary but it does sound cool so why not use it.

So it's been four months since my last entry. What has happened since?
1. Went back home to the Philippines for a 3-week vacation.
2. Switched from coffee to tea. Chai is addicting.
3. Got a root canal and had my single wisdom tooth removed (I'm not so wise).
4. Cut back my running to 17 miles a week. I'll be hibernating for a while until March or so when I start to train for the NY marathon.
5. I'm addicted once again to comics. Been catching up with the Avengers (Ultimate), X-men (House of M) and a couple of classics such as The Watchmen, Sandman, V for Vendetta and The Killing Joke (Batman).
6. Hooked on Top Gear. More on the humor than on the cars.
7. Tax season is upon me! Filling income tax was never this complicated back home.
8. Hooked on the latest advances in the field of biology all thanks for a book called Genome by Matt Ridley.
9. Got myself a retro game for the PSP called Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max which is basically a port of Street Fighter Alpha 3 from the arcades.
10. A lot more changes on the way.

Will write more.

Chicago Marathon - Race Day Report

2005-10-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Absolutely Awesome!!!

A sign at the expo says it all

I finished 26.2 miles in 4 hours, 17 minutes and 20 seconds! time and splits

I didn't finish under 4 hours as planned but the experience more than made up for it! I don't know how else to describe the event. Think of the Chicago Marathon as a block party that stretches for 26 miles! The only difference is that you party during the first half and suffer (in a good runner type of way) all the way to the finish!

What was it like? Analogies are in order:
1. It's like a party without the hangover
2. It's like an eat-all-you-can buffet without the calories
3. It's like getting a paycheck without the doing work

How many ran? Oh just 40,000...

Uhm... I'm somewhere in the middle wearing a white shirt and blue shorts

Reporting...
6:30am - Parked my rental car more than a mile away from Grant Park at the Sterling Apartments at Kinzie and La Salle ($6 for the whole day - not bad). I could use the 1.5 mile walk to warmup since it was a bit cold (55 degrees F). At first I thought that it would be unwise to tire myself with a long walk but I soon realized that it was the perfect energizer. For every block I passed, I meet a runner or two walking to the marathon start. By the time I hit Michigan Avenue, I was walking with a group of no less than a 100 runners! All of them chatting excitedly, drinking coffee, comparing times and all sorts of runner talk. Some were surprised that I came alone.

Walking to the start

6:55am - We hit Grant Park. I've never seen so many people this early in the day. It took me 10 minutes to worm my way through to the starting area. Shed layers, tighten shoes, stretch, apply bodyglide, nibble on a cliff bar, drink a few gulps and presto! - I'm all set.

7:10am - I take a couple of pictures then deposit my stuff at gear check (much like a baggage depository).

7:30am - I line up at the porta-potties or portalets as they call it back home. I was warned that it would take 20 minutes or more to get to one. Shit, they were right!!!

7:50am - still in line...

7:52am - still in line...

7:53am - Ah yes! I get to piss. Success!!! I run to the starting pens.

The promised land of piss

7:55am - I spot my pace group (3:50) from the spectator area. Little did I know that there is a fence separating the runners. Crap!!! I climb over the fence (with the crowd helping me up and down).

7:57am - Made it!!! Adrenaline is flowing. I look around and everybody has their game face one. The US national anthem has just finished and everybody cheers! The atmosphere is fever pitch!

8:00am - The gun goes off! It takes my group 3 minutes to get to the start line. After that, I say a prayer and hold up a V-sign to the crowd. Here we go! left brain - Oh jeez... what am I doing here

Switching to miles...

1 to 3 miles - 9:00 pace. Slower than my planned pace as expected. I hold back. Speed kills. Crowd roars when we emerge from the tunnel going to Wacker. I decide to stick to the middle island along La Salle Avenue so the other runners will break the cold breeze. The sun shows itself for the first time.

4 to 6 miles - 9:00 pace still. I decide to hold this pace and see if I can do a negative split after the half. Getting nice and warm. I feel good. We pass a band playing as we pass Clark. Can't help but notice that the singer is a bit flat. Can't say I recognize the song they're playing but it helps me pick up the pace (I think). I pick out a runner and stick to her pace.

6 to 9 miles - 9:00 pace again. I never knew I was this consistent. Road narrows as we go through the Lincoln Park neighborhood. I have been consistently taking in Gatorade at every station. I switch to water after mile 8. I develop a catching technique where I grab the cup then spin around using the opposite foot as a pivot and continue running. It looks funny but I don't slow down as much. I get a few giggles from the aid station peeps doing this. I still feel good. I leave behind my pacer.

10 to 12 miles - First sign of trouble. My arches are starting to chafe against my socks. I then realize that I'm using new socks that are thinner and I didn't tighten my shoes enough. Crap! I decide to fix the problem after the half.

13 to 15 miles - I pass the half marker with a decent time. I find a place to tighten my shoes past all the crowd. Tying my shoelaces should be instinctive but my fingers wouldn't cooperate. Shit. I think my brain has shifted all of its processing power to my legs. I almost fall flat on my face trying to get back into the race. By mile 15 I feel my legs getting heavy. Uh oh... the suffering has started.

16 to 18 miles - Ouch ouch ouch! These three miles took soooo long. I need fuel. Contemplated grabbing somebody else's gel. Then I remembered that there is a powershots stop after the 17th mile marker. I grab 2 powershots. Took one and saved the other for later. It would serve as my stress ball until then. I found the person that paced me earlier. I see a runner stop and cry on the sidewalk. After 10 minutes I see more runners by the sidewalk stretching. I decide to walk during each aid station break after mile 17 so that I won't end up the same way. left brain - Just stop now and the pain will go away.

19 to 21 miles - More pain. Sun is out again. I look at my legs and it feels that they are detached from the rest of my body. I could feel my reserves running low. It feels like I'm running on fumes at mile 19. Luckily they start giving out bananas. A lot of 'em are brown and yucky from the heat but beggars can't be choosers. I start concentrating on finishing each mile rather than thinking about the distance left to the finish. Seeing the mile 20 marker was quite a relief. I distract my left brain with split computations. It works. Mile 21 appears miraculously fast. I was touched when a big runner in front of me on the verge of giving up was joined by his wife. She jogs alongside him and gives him a pep talk. It works. Big runner smiles and passes me.

22 to 24 miles - At this point I've given up on finishing under 4 hours. No big loss. This is a battle I need to win by finishing. No compromise. I smell warm beer. I almost downed a cup full of warm beer! Beer is good but it's crap when warm. We pass through China Town. It is loud. Too loud. Drums and gongs going off. I smell chinese food. left brain - Stop and grab some dimsum - right brain - SHUT UP!!!

25 miles to the finish - I close my eyes once past the 25 mile marker. I'm losing it. I need to dig down deep. I block out everything else and concentrate on the shoes of the runner ahead of me. Nothing else exists. Just me and them red and white shoes ahead of me. I break my trance at the 26th mile marker and attempt to see if I can spot the finish along Michigan. Nothing! Nada! Zip! The finish is not there. I then realize that the finish is not on Michigan but on Columbus! One right turn and a left will get me there. Crowd is very thick along Michigan. I let them in through my trance barrier. They get me going. We make a right turn to Roosevelt. What the f***? The bridge along Roosevelt is inclined! It's one final attempt to stop me. I desperately pump my arms to move along. I think I'm running but someone passes me doing a fast walk. Am I really just shuffling along? I don't care. We make a left. I see the finish. Legs hurt. Arms hurt. Tummy hurts. Heck even my hair hurts! Oh well. I raise one finger to the crowd as a thank you, pose for the camera and cross the line.
YES!!!
DONE!!!
DID IT!!!
BEEN THERE!!!
I FINISHED A MARATHON!!!

Hey camera! Over here!

A piece of metal for 26 miles of suffering

Stuff after the race
I get my medal and heat wrap, deposit my timing chip and grab a banana and water. I follow a friend's advice and pop 2 Tylenols and do a 10 minute stretch. I get my finisher photo and walk 1.5 miles back to my car. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Lunch with myself at Singha. I order padthai and soup. All gone in 10 minutes to my server's amazement.

Chaos after the marathon

Good thing the free shirt is long-sleeved

Chicago Marathon

2005-10-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

Time's a tickin'!!!

Sunday is D-Day. Deciding day whether my 6 months of training will pay off. I'm hoping for a sub 4 hour finish but I'm happy finishing nevertheless.

Counting down the hours, minutes and seconds till start

What am I saying???!!!

No! I'm definitely going for a sub 4 hour finish!!!

I got my checklist ready
1. Asic Gel Kayano XI - 2nd pair this year. Best running shoes ever!
2. white and gray Nike Dri-fit shirt
3. dark blue Reebok running shorts
4. some branded triathlon running socks i got in a bargain bin
5. Rudy Project Ekynox glasses - only because Jan Ullrich uses them
6. Assorted Cliff Bars
7. Fuelbelt loaded with a 16 oz. bottle

Crap if somebody stole everything, it would amount to a hefty sum. I thought running was supposed to be a cheap sport.

Bass desires

2005-09-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

This bass line begs to be played

Recognize this?

It's been more than 6 months since I last played a musical instrument.
It's been more than a year since I strapped on my bass to play a band gig.
I think I'll go to a music store.
Might buy a new bass.
Might browse for "Wanted Bass Player" ads.
Maybe I need a break.
Maybe... maybe.

Chasing Bananas

2005-09-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday. Chase some bananas (see ad below).

Bananarama!!!

I was trying to break two personal running records this week.
1. Run more than 45 miles total for a given week.
2. Run faster than 24:35 in a 5K race.

I ran 7 miles on Saturday to break the first one. I was a bit worried that a run before my 5K race on Sunday would slow me down. Nevertheless my inner voice say F*** it! Just go for it!.

7 miles, 1 Chipotle burrito and an ice bath later and I'm in bed all ready for my race.
But no.
Must read.
Must surf.
F*** it! Just go for it!.

You got to understand that when I read, I tend to read at least three books in one session. 50 pages of this, 10 pages of that and so on. I got cozy with:
1. Mystic River - yes it's already been made into a movie
2. 23 Days in July (Tour De France book featuring Lance Armstrong) - I'm not really an Armstrong fan but he sure inspires.
3. The Art and Science of Oracle Performance Tuning - the guy who wrote this is a co-worker.

100 pages later and it's 12 midnight. F*** it!. I have to get up at 5:30 to have enough time to get ready and get to the darn race tomorrow. Correction... TODAY! I then gave my inner voice a dose of it's own medicine. Sleep comes fast.

Alarm wakes me at 5:30 am. I hit off instead of snooze. Big mistake. Biological alarm wakes me at 7 am. F*** it!. I do the following in less than 20 minutes:
1. Brew coffee.
2. Print directions from mapquest.
3. Pack bag.
4. Put on running attire. Asics Kayanos for this race.
5. Look decent.
6. Contemplate kicking the printer for printing so slow (my fault).
7. Jump into the car

Car fuel gauge says its almost empty. F*** it! It will take me 8 minutes to head to a gas station and fill up! Hmmmmmm. I'm driving a Honda Civic. One of the most economical cars in the world! F*** it!. I'm driving straight to downtown!

45 miles later and I'm driving on fumes in San Francisco. I almost pissed on myself when the car stalled momentarily because of low fuel while I was on a 50 degree slope. Normally it'd be ok, but not today with an expensive looking Mercedes close to my tail.

Parked. Ran to venue. Registered. Portalet trip. Ran to the start line with 45 seconds to spare before the race started. Whoah!!! Nice race! Lots of people. Men dressed-up as bananas. Kids of all ages. Runners from various running clubs. Me and my Rudy Projects, Kayanos and Asics jacket (forgot to take it off).

I found myself panting on the 1-mile mark. One look at my watch and then I deduced that I was in trouble. Why you ask?
1. My watch read 6:25! That's way too fast for me on a 5K race!
2. I was loaded up on caffeine.
3. I'm getting warm and I have a jacket on.

Basically I committed the runner's sin of starting out to fast. Couldn't help it. I slowed down and carried my jacket but I was still panting like a dog in heat. Almost gave up at mile 2 if it not for my inner voice saying F*** it! Just go for it!.

5K later and I'm pleasantly happy with my time of 23:25. I didn't break 23 minutes but it was still a minute faster than my previous 5K four months ago.

Nice race. Lots of freebies. If I only had my girlfriend with me at the race, then it would have been a "perfect" day.

Banana Men

The finish

Back in the Training Groove

2005-09-11T17:46:00.000-07:00

Four weeks before the Chicago Marathon and I think I'm back into my training groove. The downward spiral started right after my half-marathon (San Francisco). Lesson learned. Don't do a long race when training for a marathon.

Today's Sunday run:
18 miles - 2 hours and 41 minutes
Average of 6.72 miles per hour.

Not bad. I think I'll top-off with a 20-miler next week then start my taper.

27 days left.

Biking Around San Francisco

2005-07-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

Kid called me up Friday asking what we can do for Saturday since it was the 4th of July weekend. Biking was the first thing that crossed my mind. 24 hours later and 2 friends more we found ourselves trying to do a Tour de San Francisco. Great day, great weather, great lunch in Chinatown and great drinks at Fridays (you can never get enough of a cold Sierra Nevada).

Biker Boys

Bridge Crossing

Ex-Accenture Boys

By the Shore

Monkeying around in San Francisco

2005-06-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. What the devil???

Running wet and cold in Rochester

2005-05-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

I was itching to join a race in MN before I left. I read about a 5K race in a local free ad paper. That's how I found myself 80 miles south of the twin cities in Rochester. I usually join 10K races and above but never 5K. I considered it a sort of "testing the waters" kind of run. I haven't been doing a lot of interval training so I have no idea how I'd do. The weather that whole weekend in the midwest was cold and rainy. I haven't raced in such conditions so I have didn't know what to wear. I just bundled up in 4 layers of dri-fit fabric and ran. Suffice to say I was pleasantly surprised by the results.

If it weren't for the cold and the rain I would explored the city more. I just hung out at the Galleria (mini mall) and explored parts of the Mayo clinic. After buying a latte I headed back home. I just might go back and explore the trails on bike next time.

Link to the results page --> Rochester Track Club 5K results

Game On!!!

2005-05-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

I had a blast at the Game On exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. These pictures speak for themselves (with the unavoidable caption of course).

Dune 2? I'll think about it.

Tennis anyone? An original Pong game cabinet.

Say pasta!

Aliens? Where?

Don't shoot!!!

Sucky Things

2005-05-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

This sucks!!!

Blur

2005-04-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

The last month has been a blur. I'm working in good 'ole Minneapolis but I'm leaving soon for the west coast Bay area. Work dictates which city I sleep in. I've never really unpacked which is kinda interesting since you get a very good sense of which clothes are useless. I don't mind the work but the moving around gets to you. Minneapolis has turned into a home away from home and now I have to move out again (repeat the process approximately 3 times a year). The city is an interesting mix of things that should be incompatible but somehow they work together. Only in Minneapolis I might say. It's hard to put into words but I can only think of the local "hotdish" as an analogy. Click here

Other stuff:
1. Went running around the sculpture garden next to the Walker Musuem. It made me miss Maui more. It would be really nice to have a stroll with her through the place.
2. Sold my GBA and bought a Sony PSP. It's around $249 but worth every cent. That blows my budget so I'm currently on super savings mode. I recently learned a hack that turns it into a web browser so that kinda ups it's usability.
3. Found my favorite running trail. I guess it's one of the things I'll miss the most if ever I move out. Click here
4. Thinking about my marathon 5 months from now. I think about it. Run. I think about it some more.
5. Been listening to a lot new music lately. New means "not in my mp3 player." Been listening to a lot of Joy Division, New Order and other bands recommended by a friend (The Shins, The New Pornographers and The Soviettes).
6. Thinking about having a taste of the local lutefisk. Ya, you betcha!

What New(s)?

2005-03-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

CNN Headquarters - November 2002

Restless

2005-03-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

Things are happening fast around me. I'm in a time bubble impervious to the passage of time. It's one of the perks and pitfalls of downtime. The good side side is called leisure, the flipside is called restlessness. I need work fast. I need to start running again.

Updates:
SAP is buying Retek - implications.
Russell is now working at Ross - Good news indeed! Quite funny working for the same client through another company.
My old laptop conked-out - In some ways in was forthcoming. Hopefully it's not yet permanently dead.
Books - Lucifer's Legacy by Frank Close (meaning of asymmetry). Neuromancer by William Gibson (great book).

I decided to post a random picture. Why? Like rests in a musical piece, sighs between troubled thoughts and pauses between bites, it facilitates comprehension. Also, I like cars specially the "monster killers." Cars that outperform those costing 10 times as much.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI? Nope. Nice try though.

Missing my Maui a lot.

Adjusted?

2005-02-25T23:54:00.000-08:00

Most of "Me" is now in-synch, same timezone, intact. It's been a week and I think I'm back on solid ground. My driving has adjusted to US standards. I've talked with my employer regarding my schedule/job. My bank stuff is finally set up. Jet lag is almost gone. I still get the occasional "extended nap" syndrome where you wake up and feel like you slept the day away. I've been making the most of my time (I think) at my friend's apartment reading up on Retek stuff and doing an anime marathon. Neon Genesis Evangelion is the anime. Saw a couple of episodes in college but not the whole series. It's perplexing. Interesting. Engaging? Maybe. Watch it. You might like it. It borders on science and religion. The Japanese have a knack for obscure yet addicting plots. Add a dash of mecha design and a pinch of sexuality and you have a great series.

What to do this weekend? Not really sure. I have to run again. It's been a week since I last ran and it's driving me nuts. Must find a way. I'll check out my old apartment complex and see if the gym is open. Might also check out some running stores. Buy that new pair of Sauconies or New Balance. Maybe not. New shoe scent is addicting.

Saw an orange Subaru Impreza in a parking lot yesterday. Orange. Took a picture of it using my camera phone. The outside just doesn't give a hint of the monster inside. Cool. But orange?

Maui is attending our friend's wedding. I hope she has a good time. I miss her. I need to call her up this weekend. Just hearing her voice takes me back home.

Flickering thoughts

2005-02-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

Jet lag. Your body and mind go in opposite directions. Body buddies up with inertia and stays horizontal, mind defies physics and flies in all directions. I reign in some of these "thought darts" and try to impose wordly sensibility. From 2am to 5am, it starts and ends. Some I forget, some remain like the aroma of last night's breakfast/dinner.

Cashiers
Did groceries last night. Cashier was chatty. Most of them are. Back home, everyone evokes "Don't talk to me and i won't bother you." It's comforting for us. Years ago I scrambled to answer the everyday "How are you?" of Americans. It was never meant to be answered with full-on thought. First out of the cortex will suffice, also known as "Good, how about you?"

Missing out
I feel a pang of sorrow for those who haven't experience the "joys of reading" a book. The internet only serves as a plain alternative. Web pages cater to those who want information quick. Direct to the point. Vanilla. Broth without the stock. All is news. None is a good read. It's the difference between a good movie and a bad one. The bad one evaporates as soon as you exit the double doors. The good one stays to fuel conversations.

I miss my Maui.

Displacement

2005-02-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

I read somewhere that jet lag is like leaving your soul behind. Souls can't move that quickly so they get dragged behind and must be awaited. During the first few days it is still in transit behind the wake of your airplane. Until it arrives, you wander around displaced and confused much like looking through clouded spectacles in dim light trying to find the light switch.

So here I am in Chicago. Displaced. In a state between denial and acceptance.

It will be a couple of hours more until my soul arrives. My confusion will then be replaced by realization when I meet it in my slumber.

I miss my Maui.

Back to blogging

2005-02-11T16:31:00.000-08:00

It's been a while. Instead of going into another convoluted rant, I decided to go simple.

5 things I'm looking forward to
- Valentine's Day at the beach with my girlfriend.
- Driving my own Mitsubishi Lan Evo VIII. Drift driving anyone?
- Playing Metal Gear Solid III.
- Getting my first paycheck in my new job.
- Joining my first marathon.

5 things I'm NOT looking forward to
- Leaving for the States and missing my girlfriend and family.
- Driving in snow.
- Leaving for the States and having to work again.
- Driving in freezing rain.
- Leaving for the States and seeing Mcdonalds everywhere.

5 things I didn't get done during my 3 months+ without work
- Improve my piano playing past the point of hunt and peck.
- Use the ear training course I bought for $100 two years ago!
- Organize my papers (tax, bills, personal data, etc). I've been putting this off for the past 2 years.
- Improve my driving. I'm still a clutch driver.
- Sell anything over bidshot.

5 things I got done during my 3 months+ without work
- Visited my dentist.
- Cleared up my face. Acne is related to dental decay.
- Had my Xbox modified!!!
- Started my own blog.
- Spent quality time with my girlfiend!

That's all for now. My mind is still trying to get started after a long run.

The day I conquered 25 kms

2004-11-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

The Anticipation
The brain has difficulty comprehending events it hasn't yet experienced.
I've never ran 25 kms in my life so I don't have any idea how it feels like.

The brain copes by using "memories" as reference and "imagining" what the future experience will be like. The results are often inaccurate.
I've ran a couple of 10 kms races in the past. Going by this theory, I simple recall how I felt at the end of my 10 km races and multiply it by a factor 2.5 (since 25 km = 2.5 x 10 km), then I'd get a rough idea how 25 km feels like. It's worth a try since I wasn't getting enough sleep a few days leading up to the race. I also thought of other interesting formulas.
- pain factor = 10 km race pain x 2.5
- probability of cramping during the race = 0% + (stubbornness not to stop at an aid station + reluctance to wear my fuelbelt)
- probability of vomiting during the race = 100% - (will power not to be embarrassed + commitment to swallowing back vomit)
- probability of withdrawing from the race = 100% - (thoughts that people chubbier than I am will finish + shame factor if I don't finish)

In the end, all of my formulas would prove to be very accurate except for the first one. The revised equation is shown below:
- pain factor = 10 km race pain x 2.5 x number of times you thought to yourself, "Why the hell am I doing this?"

But enough of my attempts to sound like an intelligent schmuck. It's time for some empathic storytelling.

I intended to sleep early the night before the race. I figured I needed about 6 - 7 hours of sleep. That meant I had to hit the sack at around 7 pm for me to wake up at 2 am (the race starts at 5:30 am). The extra time was for getting ready, picking up Maui and driving to the race. Man, I haven't gone to bed at 7 pm since... since... crap since I was a baby. Nevertheless, after preparing and testing my wardrobe (I have a stupid looking shot of myself with my running attire later) and having a snack (noodles), I went to bed. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. An hour later and I was still awake in bed staring at the ceiling. I can't sleep. I wonder why. Could it be that large mug of coffee I had with my noodles? It can't be since the coffee was decaf, or was it? I made a mental note to myself to test the coffee after the race. What was I to do? I can't call up Maui since we already said our sweet goodnights and she is probably fast asleep by now. I look around and found my computer. I fired it up and decided to get in a session of Icewind Dale II. Gamers know that the RPGs are the most time consuming games around. Non-gamers don't know about that fact (but you do now). Yes, Icewind Dale was a certified time eater. Next to Baldur's Gate II, IWD 2 is the best form of time travel man has invented so far (it only goes forward to the future sad to say). When I finished creating my party for the game, it was already 10pm! So much for sleeping early but thanks to the game, I fell fast asleep as soon as I hit the pillow.

Talk about getting excited before the big day. This is me the night before trying to do a running man impression. Might have worked except for the stupid look on my face. It actually looks like I'm running to the dinner table.

The Race
My dad, Maui and I arrived at the venue a little past 4 am. It took us a while to find the place. Normally you would head to a large assembly of people but the fort was for the most part deserted. Ten minutes and a talk with a security guard later, we found the place. What follows is a detailed account of the events as I remember them.

Ok this is a better shot of me in gear before the race.

Ooooo, 'em runners are wearing astronaut shoes!!!

Most guys with astronaut shoes. The guy on the far right takes it to the extreme with his astronaut cap!!!

A shot of me with my dad.

Race start minus 15 minutes
I put on my secondary gear. This includes my Rudy Project Jak sunglasses (I had these fitted with transparent prescription lenses), Fuelbelt and a hairband (to get the hair out of my eyes). I decided to ditch the fuelbelt to save on weight. From here on, I would be relying on the aid stations for fluid replenishment.

Race start minus 5 minutes
Maui takes my picture and she wished me good luck. It was more than enough fuel to get me through the race =)

Dalawang Jolli Hotdog po manong. This is the starting area ten minutes before the start.

Me and my beautiful inspiration!!! In case you're wondering, yes that's a headband I'm wearing (to keep my hair out of my face) with the price tag still on.

Taken shortly before the start. The big guy at the center is I think the New Balance boss from New Zealand.

Race start minus 2 minutes
Looking around I could see all sorts of runners. In the span of a minute, I tried my best to categorize them.
- senior veteran runners - Aside from their age, you can pick them out as the ones wearing minimal non-nonsense gear. None of those expensive oakley shades, fancy fuelbelts or shoes with the latest anti-pronation devices. These guys have been through a lot and know what really matters in a long-distance race. Oh and also, you can pick them out by their shoe brands. Most of them wear the time and tested brands such as Brooks and Saucony.

- the fancy wannabes - These guys run in expensive gyms or at country clubs. They sport the latest and most expensive gear (GPS watches, Nike shoes with blinding colors, too-much fancy apparel). Some will finish, most will withdraw.

- the fancy "for-reals" - These guys run in expensive gyms or at country clubs. They are dead serious about the sport and have had more than adequate training. Cool gear and cool outfits.

- the first timers - They would be the ones chugging down a lot of water or chatting excitedly before the race. This would either be their first or nthrace (where n is less than 5).

- the casual runner - They don't really stand out aside from the fact that they don't fit in any other categories.

0 minutes
We're off!!! I wave to Maui as I pass by the start line. She takes a picture. What the hell am I thinking joining a 25 km race. I brace myself for the long haul and eventual pain. The race was staggered start. The 25 km runners started first. The 10 and 5 km runners started 15 minutes after to avoid crowding.

Go!!! That's me in the yellow circle running past the starting point.

5 - 12 minutes
I find my pace group moving along at 5:30 to 5:45 to a kilometer. We run along the Kalayaan flyover into Buendia (Gil Puyat). Legs feel fine. Not even panting. I notice that the sky is not getting any brighter as the sun begins its ascent. I spot the 5 km race turnover

15 - 20 minutes
Still along Buendia. I've trekked the length of Buendia before but not on foot. I spot familiar landmarks such as the Pacific Star building and GT Tower. Trouble begins as I feel something tightening on the front outside of my right knee. I pray that this is not the Iliotibial band syndrome I had just 3 days ago. If this got worse, my race is virtually over. I drop out of my pace group and join a couple running at 6:00 to a kilometer. I gave a cup of water at an aid station and sip half and gave the empty cup the proverbial "runners toss out to the sidewalk."

15 - 20 minutes
Right leg is really tightening up. I discover that if I lengthen my stride, the pain is not as bad. I do so knowing that altering my stride would have severe payback as the race went on. Notice some people on the side streets cheering us on.

22 - 25 minutes
I spot the 10 km turnover. I was really tempted to take it and convert my 25 km race to just 10 km. I did not give in. I'd reap my punishment soon.

25 - 30 minutes
I spot Mr. Buenavista with a pace/time van behind him going the opposite direction. I cheer him on. Man, that guy is sure fast. We reach the 25 km turnover. This is not the half-point of the race but merely the 1st of 3 turnarounds. What the hell am I doing in this race.

40 - 50 minutes
My right leg is in pain. I start limping. I decide to pull over to the sidewalk and do so leg side stretches to calm whatever was tightening up. Crap this is my iliotibial band again as the pain is familiar. I stretch for 2 minutes and head out again. The pain is still there but not as much.

55 minutes
It starts raining. This would serve as a good distraction from the pain in my leg. I focus on complaining to myself about the rain and the wet weather. I almost forget about my knee pain. I join a 10 km group on the way back to the fort.

1 hour
We reach the fort but we don't take that left turn to the finish. Instead we head straight into the bowels of Fort Bonifacio. This is going to be a loooooong run. Rain slows to a drizzle. I slow down to wipe myself down. Bad move as my Rudy Project starts to fog. I ran for 5 minutes half-blind.

1 hour 15 minutes
This is the start of the pain. My legs start to feel heavy. I start to feel a slight side stitch building. My left shoulder starts aching. What the hell am I doing in this race. I notice a lot of soldiers cheering us on. I join another pace group to help me along.

1 hour 30 minutes
Pain in my right leg is still there and I nearly stopped when it let out a sharp pain. How long can I keep ignoring that bugger? My left leg is starting to fatigue from all compensation it's doing for my bum right leg. I grab a cup of water at an aid station. I didn't know that the next aid station would be 30 minutes along. I begin to think about food.

1 hour 32 minutes
We take the 2nd turnaround. I notice several runners eating bananas, downing energy gels and chomping on chocolate bar. What do I have? Notice but saliva and regret for not bringing my fuelbelt. I suck. I notice some runners stopping at sari-sari stores to buy ensaymada and softdrinks. I have no money with me. Would the tinderas give me free food and a drink if I beg? Sounds like an option. I think about Maui waiting at the finish.

1 hour 40 minutes
Legs feel like lead now. I have a hard time maintaining my pace and drop to almost 7 minute to a kms. My left heel starts to ache. This is the longest I've ever run. At this rate, I would completely shut down at the 2 hour mark. Where is that damn aid station??? A couple of runners going back tell us that the 3rd and last turnaround is close.

1 hour 41 minutes
He said "it's really close" but where is the turnaround? A minute sometimes feels like eternity in a long-distance race. A guy passes me and says "easy pace lang pare para makatapos." I remember him as someone I passed an hour ago. I run alongside him for pacing

1 hour 45 minutes
I reach an aid station and my pace partner asks if I have food to eat. I said no. "Ito o, iyo na yan." He gives me half of this energy gel. I thank him and grab two cups of water from the aid station. The gel was chocolate flavored. It tasted like food from heaven and the water I washed it down with tasted like the finest red wine. Hopefully this would last me for the next 30 minutes.

1 hour 55 minutes
I reach the 3rd and last turnaround. My whole body is in pain now. I let out an expletive, "PUT****** ITO!!!" What the hell am I doing in this race. I run alongside a runner wearing basketball sneakers. I start to feel a cramp on both my calves. I almost panic. This would surely end my race if allowed to fully cramp. I won't cramp this close to the finish. I stop and give my calves a stretching. I think about Maui again.

2 hours
Surprisingly, instead of shutting down, I find my 2nd wind. My gait was smoother and I'm breathing easier. The pain is still there but my brain has created enough chemicals to effectively suppress it.

2 hours 15 minutes
I run with a manong. We chat and I feel better. He tells me about the marathons he has run. I ask him if the finish is near. He says 2 kms. It was a white lie to boost my spirits. The finish is 4 kms away. A girl passes us and asks about the distance to the finish. Crap, she looks as fresh. How come she doesn't look tired??? That is so unfair.

2 hours 25 minutes
Mr. Manong drops off. I start running at pace with an old gentleman. He looks over 50 and runs with a serene look on his face. He tells me that he's 52 and has been running all his life. He tells me about all the races I should join like the Pasig River and Milo marathon. We leave the military infrastructures of Fort Bonifacio and spot the building of the fort. The sky starts to clear.

2 hours 30 minutes
Two other runners join us. A quiet guy wearing glasses and a guy wearing a Botak sando with the name "Joel" printed on the back. My spirits rise and fall along with the road.

2 hours 35 minutes
We spot the last turn to the finish and our pace quickens.

2 hours 40 minutes
We make the turn. I start to smile. A small girl passes our group. I frown.

2 hours 41 minutes
We make the turn. I look around for my dad and Maui. I see my Dad and he waves.

2 hours 41minutes 43 seconds
FINISH!!! I stop and start to fell dizzy. I jog a bit near the start/finish area.

2 hours 43 - 50 miuntes
I see Maui!!! What a sight!!! I forget all about the pain. She gives me a towel. I know that she has a very bad migraine and had a hard time just standing up but she came to see me finish regardless. I love her so much. We take a couple of pictures.

2 hours 55 minutes
I change my shirt and replenish my fluids. I have Maui get back in the car to lie down. What a day!!! I look around and smile. I did it!!! All 25 kilometers of it.

3 hours
We leave for breakfast and for Maui's checkup. Until the next race. A marathon perhaps.

My finishing time was 2 hours, 41 minutes and 43 seconds. This shot proves that it took me 4 minutes and 25 seconds to walk next to the finish line, pose and get my picture taken.

Dad I think our orange juice is spoiled. It turned purple!!!

A shot of the awarding ceremonies. I didn't stay long as I had to run to get a better reward. Breakfast!!!!

A shot of the start/finish line.

A post-race shot. All sorts of different runners sharing the race experience.

These shoes served me well. New Balance 765's, my favorite running shoe.

Ocampo Family Garage Sale!!!

2004-11-18T02:53:00.000-08:00

My girlfriend's family is having a garage sale. All readers of my blog are invited to come. It's at 46 Montilla Street, BF Home, Paranaque, Metro Manila. Indulge me in my little composition called The Garage Sale

Ah yes, the garage sale
Truly they aren't just for males
Spend some time to browse and look
Heck, who knows you might find a rare book

It's a place of wonder and surprises
Not to mention good stuff at darn cheap prices
So get off your butt you lazy bum
Go to the Ocampo garage sale and have some fun!!!

The sign says it all.

The garage sale before the opening. There is a lot more stuff now.

Exercise gear!!! You often saw these in informercials and from friends who never seem to use them. You have an inclined bench, a threadmill (folded up), a stepper, an "ab roller," an "ab flex" and another "ab-(place verb here)" thingee.

Shoes and shoeracks. Most of these have already been bought. Most of these are size 6.

Behind the scenes putting price tags on everything. From left to right: Tito Pete (Maui's dad who is partly cut-off), Elaine (Maui's cousin) and Tintin (Maui's sister).

Uhm, Koji (the cute guinea pig) is not for sale. I just wanted to include her picture hehehe.

Band desires

2004-11-17T05:34:00.000-08:00

I've been suffering from band withdrawal for more than a year now. It was around August last year when I last played with a band. Nowadays, my bass is stowed away in a muggy corner of my room, my hands are not as nimble anymore and I'm still stuck listening to japanese pop. My mainstay band, Half-wishing, has been on hiatus since 2002 mainly due of the "realities of life" (Accenture slavery). Now I'm thinking of putting up a new band with my girlfriend. I'm thinking of starting a duo first and expanding it to accomodate anybody who wants to join. Obviuosly, I've also been playing the band name game. I currently have three names in mind.

1. Suicide Siopao - I knew a band called Suicide Siomai that played 80's pop songs but with a 90s poprock twist. So why not name a band after them but make it sound bigger (since a siopao is four times bigger than a siomai).

2. Killer Kalabasa - I'm looking for a name that sounds edgy with an touch of humor to it (including food references hehehe) and this name was the first that came up.

3. Sundried Tomatoes - Sounds a bit like Smashing Pumpkins. I like it because my girlfriend and I love sundried tomatoes with our pasta. This name might be the one.

Just for posterity, I included some band pictures.

The De La Salle University Chamber Ensemble (circa 1997). That's me on the upper left hugging my huge double bass.

Half-wishing during the CIO fashion show (December 2001). From left to right: Jomar Abesamis (rhythm guitar), me (low frequency device), Debbie Wong (vocals), John Evangelista (drums), Gwen Torres (vocals) and Mike Duff (lead guitar).

Another Half-wishing picture.

My Ibanez bass temporarily freed from storage.

The view down under.

Gamer's month

2004-11-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

Ok this is just too much for a gamer to bear!!! Just this month there has been three great (as in uber great) games released and I can't believe I haven't played any of them yet! They are:

1. Half-life 2 (PC) - Gosh if you haven't heard of this game, then you have been in a coma for the past five years. It has everything! Great gameplay, excellent story telling, cool level designs and kick-ass multiplayer. This game spawned a "mod" game you might have heard of. It's called Counterstrike.

A crowbar and hazard suit are essential accessories for nerds.

2. Halo 2 (Xbox) - This game made the Xbox a "must have" console. I basically bought the Xbox just to be able to play this game. It was game of year three years ago and I'm still playing it.

You talkin' to me?

3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) - Metal Gear is an institution and Hideo Kojima (creator) is one of the gaming gods. This game first appeared on the Nintendo Famicom or NES (depending where in the world you lived). Simply put, every Metal Gear game needs to be played because "it should."

Snake?... Snake?... SNAKE!!!!

Bottomline is, November 2004 is gamer's month.

Maui and Jomar Xboxing or PS2ing?

Oh by the way, the Nintendo DS is coming out also this month (Nov. 21 in the US). Do you have your pre-orders in?

Feeling techie

2004-11-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

After fixing two computers last week, I decided to muck around with my PC. There has always been two things I want to fix.

Muzzle the noisy fan - My old CPU got fried two years ago playing computer games during the hottest summer I could remember. So when assembled my new PC, I told the guy at the computer store to Give me the biggest and baddest fan you've got!!! And he did, he installed a Thermaltake Volcano 7+. Unfortunately it was also the noisiest one they had. I found out a few days later that the fan came with a speed control switch which the technician didn't bother to install (and inform me too). Since I had all the time in the world, I installed the darn switch (it was a no-brainer) and set the speed to medium. The Thermaltake website mentions that the noise is 47dB at high, 35dB at medium and 24dB at low. I gotta tell you, the 12dB difference between high (the default setting without the switch)and medium (my new setting) is very noticeable. Now, my PC doesn't sound like it's going to take off the ground anymore. To further cut down the noise, I installed a couple of carton walls on one side of the inner casing. I was thinking of using eggshell cartons but then it would be a tight squeeze in there.

First of all, you gotta have these cool safety glasses when working around computers hehehe.

Ahhh yes, the mythical fan speed controller at last!!!

The fan speed controller installed. Hmmm, now where do I place this darn switch?

Noise-reducing cartons. Yeah right. I'm not even sure if they work but it did cut down on the noise a bit.

Revive the dead motherboard - Call me stupid but I messed-up my PC two days ago when I bumped-up the FSB speed in CMOS to 166 Mhz from 133. Now this would be perfectly fine if your the speed of the bus was in synch with the memory and chip. Unfortunately it wasn't. I'm going to cut down on the tech talk but suffice to say, after I changed the setting, my PC wouldn't boot up. Just a blank screen. Not even a beep. Going to the nearby computer shop to have it looked at was not an option. Technicians at computer stores are trained to sell sell sell!!! Even though your computer (or a part) is in perfect working condition, they'll concoct a story telling you whats wrong with it. Often they would throw in technical jargon to confuse you even more and make you believe that your computer is crap. This is based on the "computer shop" assumption that most people who go their shops to have their computer fixed are: a) people who know nothing about computer hardware and b) people who are hardware techies and know what needs to be replaced. They could tell if you fall into A or B based on the way you talk and the questions you ask. Anyway, I just fired-up my old laptop so surf for a solution. As it turns out, my mobo type (motherboard) needs to reset if it encounters an incompatible setting. This involves:
1. Unplugging the power cable
2. Finding the darn reset CMOS jumper. This is a good reason to keep your mobo manual.
3. Moving the jumper to reset the CMOS.
4. Wait 15 seconds (just to be sure).
5. Moving the jumper back to it's original position
If you've done everything perfectly, the computer should boot-up nicely. It boots-up with the default CMOS setting so you have to reset any values you've modified previously. Well, it works. Now I'm happy as a clam again since I learned new hardware stuff.

The "hard-to-find" CMOS reset jumper. Usually it's located next to the CMOS battery.

Public service announcement

2004-11-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

Sa panahon ngayon, bawal ang kumain ng apoy.

Eksbaks

2004-11-08T06:09:00.000-08:00

hmmm... paano kaya mag-hadoken sa eksbaks???

Dedication of Russell's baby

2004-11-08T05:20:00.000-08:00

Her name is Caitlin Rachel Samson. She is a little over two months old. Last weekend, Maui and I went to her dedication north of Manila. I was chosen to be one of her godfathers. Her Dad, Russell, is part of our barkada (circle of friends) in Accenture. Her mom, Tintin, is a batchmate of ours in college. It was a long drive (for me) from Las Pinas but the event was worth the trip. You see, "we're" (I'm including a couple of unnamed individuals here) not used to thinking of Russell as a dad yet as he is the youngest in our start group. But from what I saw, he's definitely one already hehehe.

Extra rant:
I'm not good at long city drives . That's short for I'm-a-crappy-driver-by-Filipino-standards-and-I'm-not-used-to-driving-in-Manila-because-my-blood-pressure-always-goes-up-when-I-do

The Samson family.

The godfathers. I'm signing the contract stating my duties as a godfather (gulp!).

The Accenture Jologs barkada.

Me and Maui. No I'm not drunk.

The LG Mart office

2004-11-08T04:23:00.000-08:00

Peter sent over a couple of shots he took of the LG Mart office in South Korea. Peter is the resident tech guy, DBA and problem-solver person on the project. He's South African so he speaks an english accent crossed with Afrikaans.

It's weird looking at these pictures now knowing that I won't probably be seeing these people again. They were a very nice bunch and they made my stay in Korea memorable.

Here is a nice shot of the office. There's a lot of us in there so there's not much personal space. I sit near where the camera would be. Almost everyone has a laptop and some of them are quite advanced and cool-looking. The sign on the far wall reads, "For the Future, Users and Ourselves." "All for One." "One for All." It kinda gives us a sense of importance (somewhat). Call it a morale booster during crappy days.

Mr. Chi-ho Choi. Accenture Korea consultant. Master of detail and documentation. He's a bit soft spoken but he knows his stuff.

Mr. Dongmin Park (a lot of people are named "Park" in Korea). LG Mart buyer. Also known as Mr. Starcraft to Jason and myself. He is part of a gang of four who spends their free time playing Starcraft. A very jolly, fun and wholesome guy.

Ms. Hyo Kim (a lot of people are also named "Kim") and a new girl. Most people do that V sign when they have their picture taken. It's a Korean thing. Oh, some say "kimchi" instead of "cheese" too.

Mr. Gun-il Son and Moon-Seob Son (no they are not related). Both are Accenture Korea. They are two of the guys I usually talk to. Gun-il is the guy you want to hang out with when fun and drink is involved. Moon-Seob is the avid mountain climber. He took me mountain climbing during my first week.

Mrs. Hwa Kim. LG CNS lead. LG CNS is the software/ tech/ consulting/ support company of the LG conglomerate. Some of our officemates jokingly call Mrs. Kim "ajuma" which means old lady because she's married and has a kid.

re-learning piano

2004-11-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

With all the free time I have I decided to tickle the ivories on our old piano in the living room. It was nostalgic playing all the pieces I spend days practicing as a kid. Mozart is always elegant, Beethoven moody and Chopin a convoluted barrage of 16th notes. It felt like I was reconnecting neurons in my brain. Revisiting muscle-brain connections I haven't used in years. It amazes me how easily you remember all the mechanical movements to a Brahm's piece or to any of the numbered concertos by Schubert. I can liken it to an "out-of-body" experience watching your fingers fly over an arrangement you literally burned onto your brain lest you suffer the nasty whack of your piano teacher's stick. Piano lesson were a chore, a pseudo pre-pubescent "rite of passage" I had to suffer to make myself worthy of my parent's bragging rights to neighbors and relatives. I guess "suffer" is an exaggeration but for a kid, it comes really close. In retrospect, it was worth the "suffering." Learning other intruments is a breeze if you know your way around 'em 88 keys. I needed to be cool in highschool so I learned guitar. I needed a scholarship in college so I learned bass. I guess everything fell into place.

Now, I'm playing the piano again. Mainly for myself and for my girlfriend. I may not be a hack at it but I do manage to get past most of the stuff Tchaikovsky throws my way.

Thanks to all my past piano and music teachers for the gift of music.

By the way, You can find anything on the internet these days. I don't even have to buy sheet music anymore 'coz it's all over the net.

running scared

2004-11-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning scared of the number 25. I only dread 25 if you attach the word kilometers to it. You see, on a whim, I signed up for a 25km race on the 21st of November at Fort Bonifacio organized by New Balance ('em running shoes). I've been running for two years and it is the first time I'll be running 25kms. The longest I've run is 19 kms and I felt like a wilted vegetable afterwards. Nevertheless, I continue to train with the number 25 creeping up like twilight's shadow behind me. Nov 21st is D-Day and I just hope that I finish the distance without passing out or puking all over the asphalt.

To date (two years), I've:
- joined three 10 km races (all in the Philipines)
- joined one 7 km race (in Seoul, South Korea)
- went through four pairs of running shoes
- collected four race t-shirts
- received a race medal
- ran a total of 3640 kms or 2275 miles
- lost 30 lbs from my original 180 lbs when I first started
- suffered a minor leg injury
- decided that Nike shoes are more flash than functionality for me
- found my ideal running shoe (NB 765)
- collected 14 back issues of Runner's World

Memories of Korea

2004-11-04T04:42:00.000-08:00

Been sorting through a lot of my pictures from Korea. Here are a couple more.

This is a street in Yeoido near where I live. Look at all the neon lights!!! Sign makers must make a fortune here. I wonder if the heat generated by the lights are enough to thaw the snow in winter.

Dr. Shirota's Yakult made it's way to Korea too. Not surpised as Japan is just a short hop away. In Korea, they still have the ladies that sell Yakult on the streets with the refrigerated carts and funny hats. I guess all our Yakult ladies (during the 80s) either got run over by reckless drivers or the job just died out.

Buddhist temple. Notice the symbol that looks like the Nazi swastika. Apparently, Hitler's Third Reich "borrowed" the symbol and inverted it for their own use. Imagine my surprise when I saw this.

Only in Korea did I realize that there are a lot (and I mean a lot!!!) of different kimchis. I only get the cabbage kimchi in the Philippines. Looking at this exhibit, it seems that anything veggie-like can me "kimchied." Being a kimchi lover, I stood at this exhibit for the longest time.

Kimchi lovers will definitely love this museum in COEX mall. Unfortunately they don't allow you to take pictures.

The Green Line (Line 2) subway. Korea has one of the most efficient public transportation in the world. You can get anywhere in the city using the subway and bus. Even a foreigner like me had no problems. Just avoid the rush hours though. Even though the trains got crowded, it wasn't as bad as the LRT or MRT.

We are not alone

2004-11-03T04:50:00.000-08:00

Being a science buff that grew up reading Sagan, Asimov and Hawking and subscribed to Discover, Popular Science and National Geographic (oh I also watched 'em documentaries on PTV 4 that they show during siesta time), I strongly believe that we are not the only sentient beings in this universe.

I encourage readers of my blog to join the SETI@home project. http://setiathome.berkeley.edu

SETI stands for "Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence." The project uses the power of Internet-connected computers to process data from the radio telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico (that big dish in James Bond Golden Eye). This radio telescope has been "listening" for signs of intelligent life for past couple of years. Joining the project only requires a computer and an internet connection.

So why search for life out there? Simply put, because human curiosity demands it... and it's cool!

store sign faux pas?

2004-10-30T05:12:00.000-07:00

I was shopping with my girlfriend around Festival Super Mall at Filinvest when I saw this store sign and I did a double-take. "Babo" in Korean is derogatory and means "stupid" or "bird-brained." Usually friends tease each other with babo. Given this, I can only think of two things:
1. The owner is not Korean and he just whimsically coined the name.
2. The owner is Korean and is either insulting his would-be customers or referring to his staff.

obviously the owner is not Korean... or is he?

Maui's first MRT ride

2004-10-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

The mission: Arrive at Robinson's Galleria by 7pm for an appointment.
The challenge: You have an hour to navigate the hazardous and congested streets of Makati and Mandaluyong on a Friday rush hour.
The reward: A sumptuous dinner at Walk-in restaurant. Yes, sipa will be served.

It supposed to be just a routine trip to Galleria for Maui's appointment but something didn't quite click in my mind when she first told me that we'll leave Makati at 6pm for her 7pm appointment. It finally dawned on me when I picked her up at the office. There is no way you can get to Galleria from Makati in an hour using public tranportation!!!! There is just not way!!!

Well, since both of are troopers and there is no way she can cancel her appointment, we decided to have fun going there. We thought of it as a mini The Amazing Race mission. To add to the excitement, it was Maui's first time to ride the MRT. Suffice to say, we were 30 minutes late but we did have a blast!

Where's the train??? It better come soon. People are starting to push behind me.

My first MRT stored value card!

Maui running along EDSA 'ala The Amazing Race.

Maui exhausted but mission accomplished!

Bring on the Payne!

2004-10-28T04:56:00.000-07:00

I'm currently hooked on Max Payne 2. I've wanted to buy the game ever since me and Maui (my girlfriend) saw it on sale at the ruins tiangge at BF Homes. I'm still working through the prologue and 1st chapter. So far it appears as addicting as the first game. I'll let you know.

Is it a game or a movie?

Learning Java and teaching Oracle

2004-10-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

I went out to canvass for a school that teaches Java programming and provides certification. I could hear a lot of my college friends grumbling over the fact that it's better to self-study than to pay for classes. Well, I'm thinking of doing classes for two reasons:
1. I want to give my brain a rest after overusing it in Korea
2. I want to get certification. Looks good on me resume too.

The price for a 30 hour Java course is a bit pricey. I guess I have check out a few more schools tomorrow.

A funny thing happened. The guy the I was talking to in one school asked if I could teach Oracle. I guess the idea popped into his head when I told him about my job and background (I worked mainly with Oracle). Hmmm, sounds tempting but I defer to reason number one as the reason for declining.

Me and Maui's baby pics

2004-10-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

I missed my girlfriend a lot during my Korea stint. I took along a couple of her picture including a picture of her when she was a baby to keep me company.

You'd notice two things when you look back at baby pictures:
1. You don't look anything like your baby picture.
2. You still look like your baby picture.

My girlfriend Maui is so amazed at how I still have a lot of my "baby features." She finds it so cute that she treats me like her own baby. I'm such a lucky guy! =)

On the other hand, she thinks she doesn't look anything like her baby pic. I think she does a bit. Nevertheless, she is my baby!

Maui then and now

Cads then and now

Reflections on Korea

2004-10-27T04:30:00.000-07:00

For me any trip outside the country is always followed by contemplation and reflection. When you're there, you just take everything in. When you go home, you think about how the trip changed you. Such was the case in during my 5 month trip to Korea.

I took a consulting job (on a whim) with a major retailer in South Korea back in May. Now that I'm back home, it almost feels like a dream until I pour over all the photos I took and my newly acquired taste for anything with Kimchi in it. More on my Korea experience later.

I picked a couple of interesting shots.

Starcraft tournament at COEX!!!

Lanterns during Buddha's birthday

A replica house in Gyeongbokgung palace

Philippine exhibit at the War Memorial Musuem

First steps

2004-10-27T01:48:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get this blog started. I should have done this ages ago but I didn't seem to find the time for it. Somehow I think I'm subconsciously putting it off on account of my persistent couch potato syndrome. Anyway, check out my profile photo. It's me lost in Seoul South during my first week there. My expression is entitled "desperation in the face of geographical dislocation."